•Write down five things you notice about this picture.

Nutrition

What’s the big deal?•Differentiate between nutrition & nutrient•List the 6 basic nutrient groups•Discuss difference between ruminant &

non•Discuss the importance of various

nutrients ▫Within the ration▫Deficiencies

Nutrition!•Nutrition:

▫Refers to the animal receiving a proper and balanced food and water ration so that it can: Grow Maintain its body Reproduce Supply a product

Work, Eggs, Milk, Meat, Sale of offspring, Fur/Pelts, or companionship

So then, what’s a nutrient?•Nutrient:

▫A single food or group of foods of the same general chemical composition that support life Water Proteins Carbohydrates Fats Vitamins Minerals (Fiber)

They’re IMPORTANT!!!!

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves•Digestion!

▫Process of breaking down food material into various nutrient forms that can be absorbed

•Two types:▫Ruminant

Cows, sheep, goats▫Nonruminant

Horses, pigs, people▫Avian

Chickens (but they’re weird!)

Ruminant Animals• “Forage-Consuming” • “Multi-Stomached”• Four compartments

▫Rumen Fermentation (microbes!)

▫Reticulum Sorting (hardware)

▫Omasum Many piles—water removal

▫Abomasum True Stomach

The rumen makes up ~80% of the stomach with a

capacity of 50-60 gallons!

Ruminant Digestion• Mastication• Saliva

▫Aids in chewing & swallowing▫Aids in controlling stomach pH

pH= The acidity or alkalinity of a substance▫Salivary amylase (enzyme) changes starch into

maltose Enzyme= Complex protein substance produced by

the body and necessary for biochemical reactions Biochemical reactions = chemical reactions that take

place in the cells of plants and animals (respiration, digestion & assimilation)

Non-ruminant digestion

Process•Food passage: mouth -> esophagus -

>stomach•Stomach:

▫Breaks down food material▫Secretes digestive juices

Break down proteins and fat•Stomach -> small intestine

▫Primary site of digestion▫Absorption of carbs, fats & proteins

Absorption= The taking in of fluids

The Small Intestine

•Doudodenum▫Enzymes break

down fats•Jejunum & Ileum

▫Active absorption sites

The Large Intestine

•Undigested food

•Cecum•Colon•Anus•Functionality

depends on species

A few minor exceptions•Horses

▫No gallbladder! Bile is secreted from the liver

▫Consumes lots of forage▫SMALL single stomach with LARGE cecum

& colon▫ Roughage, Concentrates

Another exception•Rabbits

▫Similar to horses, EXCEPT:

▫Coprophagy Eat their feces Allows system to

take full use of bacteria

Avian•A completely

different story!

•“Single stomached”

•Unique organs•No teeth!

Avian•Esophagus -> Crop

▫Crop=enlarged esophagus; storage & softening

•Crop -> Ventriculus (Gizzard)▫Largest organ; grinds the food

•Ventriculus -> Small Intestine▫Broken down with enzymes; absorption

lower•Intestine -> Cloaca

▫Junction point•2 Ceca—little digestion

Biochemical Reactions•Respiration

▫The process by which oxygen is supplied to the cells and tissues in exchange for carbon dioxide

•Digestion▫The breakdown of food materials and the

absorption of nutrients•Assimilation

▫Conversion of food material into a form that can be absorbed

Water

•Supports biochemical reactions•Transports nutrients•Helps maintain body temperature•Helps give the body form•Carries waste from the body

Water

•More important than any other nutrient•Can survive without food, NEED WATER!

▫Loss from blood▫Reduced circulation▫Decreased O2 carrying capacity▫Lowers disease resistance

•Quickly absorbed

Water

•IMPORTANT:▫Good, clean, fresh WATER!

•Infectious organisms in H2O will be absorbed as quickly as the water

•Water = good carrier for drugs or chemicals for disease control

Water

•Makes up 55-65% of animal’s body•Makes up 90-95% of animal’s blood•Makes up 72-78% of animal’s muscle•Makes up 30-40% of animal’s bone

Water

•Do you think it’s a big deal??

Protein• Developing and repairing body organs & tissues• Producing milk, wool & eggs• Developing the fetus• Generating enzymes & hormones

▫Enzyme: Necessary for biochemical reactions▫Hormone: Chemicals that are produced in one part of

the body but trigger responses in another part• Developing antibodies

▫Antibody: substance produced in response to antigen• Transmitting DNA

▫DNA: Genetic material that carries hereditary codes

Protein•Broken down

into amino acids

•25 amino acids in animal feeds

•10 essential▫Cannot be

supplied by the animal’s body

Essential Nonessential

Isoleucine AlanineLeucine Arginine*Lysine Aspartate

Methionine Cysteine*Phenylalanine Glutamate

Threonine Glutamine*Tryptophan Glycine*

Valine Proline*Histidine Serine

Asparagine* Tyrosine*Selenocysteine

**Pyrrolysine

**

Protein• Ruminants

▫Capable of manufacturing all AA required if more are given in large enough quantities

▫N combines with CHOs • Poultry

▫Also require glycine• Cystine

▫Can replace methionine => essential

• Amounts needed depend on species and stage of growth

Carbohydrates•Carbon, Hydrogen & Oxygen•Provide ENERGY!!•Support bodily functions (basal

metabolism)•Producing heat to keep the body warm•Store fat

Carbohydrates•Made up of (NFE):

▫Sugars▫Starches▫Crude Fiber

•Nitrogen Free Extract▫The easily and completely digested sugars

and starches

Carbohydrates•Crude Fiber

▫Non-digestible bulk or roughage▫Species will determine amount

Fats (Lipids)•Provide Energy•Aid in absorbing fat-soluble vitamins•Provide Fatty Acids

▫Linoleic, linolinic & arachidonic (Essential)•Most animals require less than 3%

Fats (Lipids)•Same chemicals as carbs•Different composition•2.25 times more energy than carbs

Vitamins•Regulate digestion•Develop normal vision, bone & external

covering•Regulate body glands•Form new cells•Protect against disease•Develop and maintain the nervous system

Vitamins•What’s the big deal?

▫Organic substances required in very small amounts to aid in biochemical reactions

•Classified by solubility▫Fat or water soluble▫Solubility: capable of being dissolved.

Vitamins are classified as fat soluble or water soluble. Fat-soluble vitamins can be stored by the body; water soluble vitamins are stored in limited amounts

Vitamins•Fat soluble vitamins

▫Stored and accumulated in the liver and fatty tissue

•A, D, E & K

Vitamins•Vitamin A

▫Required to prevent: Poor vision Respiratory ailments Digestive problems Reproductive difficulties

▫Sources Green leafy plants Carotene (precursor/provitamin)

Vitamins•Vitamin D (D2 & D3)

▫Associated with use of Ca & P•Deficiency= weak/trembling legs

▫Rickets•If getting enough sunlight ≠ problem•Sources

▫Good quality, sun cured hay

Vitamins• Vitamin E

▫Antioxidant▫Fertility in rats▫Successful reproduction in others

• Deficiency:▫White muscle disease▫Breeding, fertility, abortion, & miscarriage issues in

rabbits▫Muscle development

• Sources:▫Generally not a problem and available in most rations

Vitamins•Vitamin K

▫Maintenance of normal blood coagulation•Deficiency:

▫Respiratory illness in rabbits•Sources:

▫Green forages▫Seeds▫Good hay

•Coumadin (Warfarin)

Vitamins•Water soluble vitamins

▫C vitamins and B complex vitamins Thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine,

inositol, cobalamin, (B12), pantothenic acid, folic acid, biotin, choline, and para-amino benzoic acid

Vitamins•Vitamin C

▫Ascorbic Acid▫Produced in digestive system

•Deficiency:▫Scurvy (guinea pigs & monkeys)▫Diarrhea

•Unstable (breaks down quickly when combined in feeds)

•Sources: ▫Citrus

Vitamins• Vitamin B (Thiamine)

▫One of the first vitamins discovered!▫Required for normal metabolism of carbohydrates

• Deficiency:▫Decreased appetite▫Muscular weakness▫Polyneuritis (paralysis)

• Sources:▫Raw, whole grains

• Problems:▫Raw freshwater fish in ration destroys thiamine

Vitamins•Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

▫Metabolism of amino acids & carbohydrates•Deficiency:

▫Poor hatchability▫Deformed chicks▫Crippled or deformed young▫Eye problems

•Sources:▫Whole or skim milk, green forages, & good

quality hay, supplement at low cost

Vitamins•Niacin

▫Usually not sufficient in “included” feeds•Deficiency:

▫Pellegra (Black Tongue)▫Digestive disorders▫Stunted growth

•Sources:▫Supplement

Vitamins•Pantothenic Acid

▫Low in corn, but high in most other feeds•Deficiency:

▫Skin condition near beak▫Stunted growth in turkeys▫Goose Stepping (swine)

•Sources:▫Chemical sources, most feed material

except corn

Vitamins•Vitamin B12

▫Cobalamin▫Essential for multiple biochem reactions

•Deficiency:▫Growth & reproduction▫Blood formation issues

•Sources:▫Chemical, fish meal, fish solubles, liver

meal, and dried milk products

Vitamins•Choline

▫Transportation and metabolism of fatty acids

•Deficiency:▫Slipped tendons (periosis)▫Kidney & Liver damage▫“Fatty liver”

•Sources:▫Most feeds, supplements

Vitamins•Folic acid

▫Normal cell development•Deficiency:

▫Poor growth▫Various blood disorders

•Sources:▫Most feeds; supplements not usually

required

Vitamins•Biotin

▫Carbon dioxide fixation & carboxylation•Deficiency:

▫Dermatis▫Hair loss▫Stunted growth

•Sources:▫Most feeds; avidin in raw egg white makes

biotin unavailable to the animal

Vitamins•Inositol

▫B-complex vitamin▫Deficiency and sources unknown

•Para-amino benzoic acid▫Essential for growth of microorganisms▫Deficiency and sources unknown

Vitamins•Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)

▫Fat metabolism▫Transportation and synthesis of

unsaturated fatty acids•Deficiency:

▫Poor growth, anemia, & convulsions•Sources:

▫Most feed stuffs

Minerals•Essential to support

▫Not part of tissue development•Components of ash

▫Cannot be burned•Supply material for building the skeleton•Produce body regulators

▫Enzymes▫Hormones

•Definition: the inorganic, chemical elements of a ration

Minerals•Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen & nitrogen

▫NON CHEMICAL ELEMENTS•16 minerals

▫Seven macrominerals (Major) Needed in the largest quantity Most likely to be lacking

▫9 microminerals (Trace)

Minerals•Macrominerals

▫Calcium▫Phosphorus▫Potassium▫Sodium▫Sulfur▫Chlorine▫Magnesium

Minerals• Calcium

▫Required in highest amount by vertebrates▫99% deposited in bones and teeth

Essential for bone and teeth development Normal blood coagulation & milk production

• Deficiency:▫Stunted growth & deformed bones▫Rickets (soft, flexible bone)▫Osteoporosis & Osteomalacia

• Sources:▫Limestone, Oyster shell, bone meal & deflourinated

phosphates

Minerals• Phosphorus

▫Closely linked with calcium▫75% deposited in bones & teeth▫Essential for metabolism, respiration, enzyme

based reactions & normal reproduction• Deficiency:

▫Similar to calcium• Sources:

▫Low fluorine phosphates & bone meal▫Wheat bran, high protein feeds, milk & most

grains

Minerals•Potassium

▫Required for osmotic relation, acid base balance & digestion

•Deficiency:▫Decreased feed consumption, slow growth,

stiffness, weight loss•Sources:

▫Sufficient in most grains and feeds

Minerals•Sodium & Chlorine

▫Form digestive juices, control body fluids, pH and muscle activity

•Deficiency:▫Unthrifty▫Sudden death

•Especially important in ruminants▫Sodium bicarb neutralizes acid in fermentation

•Sources:▫Supplement, blocks, free choice

Minerals•Sulfur

▫Forms sulfur containing amino acids•Deficiency:

▫Linked with protein▫General unthriftiness

•Sources:▫Feed stuffs usually “over-adequate”

Minerals•Magnesium

▫Carbohydrate metabolism▫Nervous system function

•Deficiency:▫Low quality forages=main culprit

•Toxicity:▫Hypomagnesaemia (Grass tetany)

•Sources:▫Usually adequate

Minerals•Microminerals (Trace)

▫Zinc▫Iron▫Copper▫Selenium▫Manganese▫Iodine▫Cobalt▫Fluorine▫Molybdenum

Minerals•Iron

▫Forms hemoglobin Red colored, iron-containing protein

component of blood that is responsible for carrying oxygen to the body tissues

•Deficiency:▫Anemia: loss of appetite, swelling,

“thumping” breathing•Sources:

▫Ferrous sulfate, iron based injections

Minerals•Copper

▫Iron absorption, hemoglobin formation, keratin synthesis

•Deficiency:▫Similar to iron & show up w/ low Cu soils

•Sources:▫Most feeds are sufficient

Minerals•Iodine

▫Production of thyroxin•Deficiency:

▫Goiter Swelling of thyroid glands in the neck area Dead or weak animals Hairlessness Infected navals

•Sources:▫Most feed & water is sufficient

Minerals•Cobalt

▫Component of vitamin B12▫Microorganism growth in the rumen

•Deficiency:▫Poor appetite, unthrifiness, weakness,

anemia, decreased fertility, slow growth, low production

•Sources:▫Supplement needed in Co deficient soils

Minerals•Fluorine

▫Reduces dental incidence▫Associate with Ca and P utilization

•Deficiency:▫Not a major concern

•Sources:▫Not major concern in formulating diets

Minerals•Manganese

▫Estrus, ovulation, fetal development, udder development, milk production, growth & skeletal development

•Deficiency:▫Delayed estrus, deformed young, poor

growth, abortions, resorptions•Sources:

▫Most feeds contain them

Minerals•Zinc

▫Promotes “thriftiness,” wound healing, hair & wool growth

•Deficiency▫Parakeratosis in swine▫Ca may make Zn unavailable

•Sources:▫Most feeds are adequate

Minerals•Molybdenum

▫Component of Xanthine oxidase▫Stimulate action of rumen organisms

•Sources:▫Adequate in most feeds

Minerals•Selenium

▫Absorption & utilization of Vit E•Deficiency:

▫Heart failure, paralysis, poor growth, low fertilit, liver necrosis, muscular dystrophy

▫Forage producing soils = low selenium•Source:

▫Adequate in most feeds

So what do you feed your pet?

But seriously!•Brand name pet foods

▫Usually contain complete and balanced diets

▫Recommendation for proper amounts▫Appropriate labeling

•Deficiencies?▫Not common in complete pet formulated

diets▫Table scraps▫Homemade diets